7 Point Programme For Effective Coaching of Children ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr. Seamus Morrissey – October 2012

Cashel, Co. Tipperary – Hurled with Club and County Degree in WIT - Got into the area of Youth Work Work with Galway City Partnership & NUI Galway - Education/Youth Kept Studying and did PhD Working and living in Galway City and member of Liam Mellows GAA Club Background

We become experts in coaching sports and can forget to become experts in coaching children We often fear children We have all learned from parents, teachers, coaches, people we looked up – Unfortunately not all of these approaches are effective We can achieve more and retain children with more effective approaches Rationale

Adapted content from books/ programme and includes some of my ideas – Evidence Based Programme Have developed a Seven Step Plan NB - TWO KEY PRINCIPLES FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN Modelling – Model the behaviour you want Attention – Give attention to the behaviour you want Rationale

Rules/ Boundaries Relationship Building Clear Commands Descriptive Praise Incentives to motivate Limit Setting and Ignoring Understanding Consequences All things we want from children involved in GAA Insight through workshops, individual/ club Implementation require longer term planning and work Seven Steps

Point 1 – Rules/ Boundaries Why is this important– To set out boundaries Children need boundaries – rules Agreed Understanding – benefits for children and adults Important to have routine – children seek this Rules needs to be positively phrased Do you have rules? Can we agree common rules for children?

Point 1 - Rules & Boundaries Why is this important – To set out boundaries Example of Rules in Respect adults and others Try your best Listen to coaches (Show me Five – Next Slide) Need to put strategies in place to support these rules

Show Me Five When using it wait for the first child to does it Praise that child Praise the child beside the one not doing it After a few sessions it will be normal behaviour Eyes on Coach Two hands on your Hurley Open Your Ears Close your mouth Stand in position

Other Non Verbal Cues Positive Ones Thumbs Smile Shake Hands Any Others Negative Ones Shake of the head The Stare Any others????

Why:To develop trust and increase likelihood of children following your direction Point 2 – Building Relationships Spend time getting to know all the children (Important to include all children) Things to find out - What school they are in, teams they support, where they live – Any things else? You need to tell them about you/ your background – needs to be mutual information sharing Have fun, needs to be enjoyable Consistently use children’s names

Point 3 – Clear Commands Why – To ensure children can do want you want them to do Reduce the number of commands One command at a time Give realistic commands Give clear commands Avoid Don’t (NB) and question commands Use children's names HANDOUT

Point 4 – Descriptive Praise Why – to build confidence, encourage positive behaviour and motivate Be specific Show enthusiasm Praise and encourage the child’s efforts and progress – What could we praise? Avoid combining Praise with Put Downs Proximal and non verbal Praise Encourage children to Praise themselves and others

Point 5 – Incentives to Motivate Why – to build confidence, encourage positive behaviour and motivate Be specific about appropriate behaviour (skills) Make small steps Pace steps correctly Chose the number of behaviours (skills) carefully Focus on positive (Behaviours, Skills) Any ideas on types of rewards?

Point 6 – Limit Setting & Ignoring Why – Children need limits – linked to rules Implement and be consistent with rules Choosing Behaviours to Ignore Use Consistent Ignoring Ignore and distract Ignoring teaches self-control Certain behaviour should not be ignored Give attention back as soon as possible

Point 7 - Consequences Natural and Logical Consequences Natural - If you don’t wear a helmet – you will get hit in the head at some stage Consequence without Logical – If you don’t wear a helmet – you wont be allowed to play Any other issue that might require consequences?

Intended Outcomes Positive relationships with children will encourage and motivate children. Coaches will be in a position to get their messages across and ultimately children will learn skills quicker. The club/ sport will develop children, and potentially parents, who enjoy being part of club Club/ sport is stronger and hopefully more successful

Implementation THANKS Seamus Morrissey